Merry Meridian 2010 Announced

The Christmas season kicks off with the Candlelight Gala at Merrehope and The Nutcracker at the Temple Theatre Nov. 18.

The theme for Merry Meridian is "The Gifts of Christmas", which is also the theme for the Christmas parade.

There's a change for the Merry Meridian Market.

"Merry Meridian Market is going to be three days. It's going to kick off on the third of December with the preview party, with 350 ticketed guests, with wine, hors d'oeuvres and live entertainment," said Michele Pearson of Meridian Main Street. "And shoppers can come in and view the season's hottest gifts. And then Merry Meridian Market will also be on Saturday and Sunday."

Pearson says there is a mix of events that have something for everyone.

Some of the events are even free of charge, like the Kansas City Southern Holiday Express and the annual tree lighting ceremony.

Meridian Main Street supplied the following list for events that are part of Merry Meridian 2010.

This years Holiday Extravaganza begins on Thursday, November 18th as Merrehope showcases Meridian’s oldest home in holiday splendor for The Candlelight Gala followed by the 42nd Annual Trees of Christmas Tour on Friday, November 19 through Friday, December 31st. There is no better place to get the holiday season started than Meridian’s own Merrehope decorated with over twenty creatively decorated theme exhibits portraying “Once Upon a Time”. For more information contact Meridian Restoration Foundation at 601-483-8439 or go to www.merrehope.com.

On the 18th annual tour of North America, The Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker will be performing at the Historic Temple Theatre for the Performing Arts on Thursday, November 18th. With over one hundred performances scheduled on this tour, “The Nutcracker” promises to be the biggest bash of the Holiday Season. Sporting spectacular new costumes and crackling choreography, this is the Great Russian Nutcracker as you’ve never seen it before. For more information contact the Temple Theatre box office at 601-693-5353 or go to http://templetheater.wordpress.com.

The Kansas City Southern Holiday Express will be in its 10th annual trip across Kansas City Southern’s United States rail network this year. The Holiday Express, a six-car train, will bring Santa Claus for a visit with kids and offers visual displays inside and out for young and old alike. The Holiday Express train will stop in Meridian at Union Station in Downtown Meridian on Tuesday, November 30th. Although this event is free to the public, Kansas City Southern will make a donation to the local Salvation Army. For more information contact The City of Meridian at 601-485-1944 or go to www.kcsouthern.com/en-us/generalpublic/pages/2010holidayexpressschedule.aspx.

After the Holiday Express rolls into town on Tuesday, November 30th, Dumont Plaza will come alive with the sights and sounds of the holidays as the City of Meridian officially kicks of the holiday season at the Tree Lighting Ceremony. For more information contact The City of Meridian at 601-485-1944 or go to www.meridianms.org. Also on Thursday, November 30th, The Meridian Community College Fall Chorus Concert, under the direction of Tammy Miles and Twyla Hurst, will present an evening of choral literature from various composers, time periods, and cultures. Traditional Christmas repertoire will be included. In addition to the concert choir, MCC’s vocal ensemble, Dimensions will entertain the audience with pop, rock and R&B selections. For more information contact the Meridian Community College Arts and Letters at 601-484-8696 or go to http://www.mcc.cc.ms.us/artsnletters/mcc_chorus_fall.html.

Don’t miss the spectacular holiday experience of hearing The Manhattan Transfer Christmas Show on Thursday, December 2nd. With nearly 30 albums and eight Grammy Awards to its credit, The Manhattan Transfer’s 1992 Christmas album remains one of its most poplar and includes acclaimed songs such as “Snowfall”, “Silent Night, Holy Night” and “It Came upon a Midnight Clear”. For more information contact the MSU Riley Center Box Office at 601-696-2200 or go to www.msurileycenter.com.

This musical celebration of the mating game takes on the truths and myths behind “the relationship” on December 2nd through December 8th as the Meridian Little Theatre presents, “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change”! Come explore the journey from dating and waiting, to love and marriage, to revealing the agonies and triumphs of in-laws and newborns, trips in the family car and pick-up techniques of the geriatric set. This hilarious revue pays tribute to those who have loved and lost, to those who have fallen on their face at the portal of romance, to those who have dared to ask, “Say, what are you doing Saturday Night?” For more information contact the Meridian Little Theatre at 601-482-6371 or go to www.meridianlittletheatre.com.

Bigger and Better than ever, the Merry Meridian Market Preview Party opens at former Cowboy Maloney building on 22nd Avenue. The Market will kick off with a preview party on Friday, December 3rd as 350 shoppers are wined and dined as they view this year’s hottest gifts including specialty boutique and gift shops, foods and crafts. The preview party will also offer shoppers a chance to relax in the Merry Café and listen to live entertainment.

Friday, December 3rd, the internationally broadcast radio show, The Sucarnochee Revue will feature gospel music at it's finest with veteran Gospel Bluegrass greats, the Sullivans and Sucarnochee’s regular cast including Jacky Jack White, Track 45, Mississippi Chris Sharp, Britt Gully, and J. Burton Fuller. In addition to this great line up, the First Christian Church Choir, under the direction of Robbie Hales, will perform holiday and Christmas music. This performance will be recorded live and shown on the Mississippi Public Television station in the spring of 2011. For more information contact the Temple Theatre box office at 601-693-5353 or go to http://templetheater.wordpress.com.

Let the anticipation build for a full day of events on Saturday, December 4th, beginning with a visit from Santa at the Breakfast with Santa at Merrehope sponsored by the Round Table Club. For more information contact 601-483-8439 or go to www.merrehope.com. After breakfast with Santa, children can explorer their creative side at the Merry Museum Children’s Holiday Art Workshop at the Meridian Museum of Art where kids can decorate their very own work of art to add to your family's holiday decorations. Plan to stay the whole day at the Merry Meridian Market enjoying the food, gifts, art and holiday music so you can get a great seat for Mississippi's largest night time Holiday Parade that begins at 5 p.m. The theme for this year’s parade is "The Gifts of Christmas". With over 150 entries, this parade will be a sight to see with lighted floats, marching bands and kids groups. For more information about the Christmas Parade contact 601-693-7480 or go to www.meridiandowntown.com.

After the parade bring your family to experience the sounds and spirit of the holiday season at the Meridian Symphony Orchestra’s annual Peppermint Pops. Now in its third year, this family-friendly concert features popular holiday music and festive sing-alongs. From the traditional sounds of Christmas, to the festive Hanukkah selections, plus a variety of cheerful old-fashion holiday songs, Peppermint Pops concert guarantees to put you in the holiday spirit. For more information about Peppermint Pops contact Meridian Symphony Orchestra at call 601-693-2224 or go to www.meridiansymphonyorchestra.com.

Wind down the busy holiday weekend by treating your family and friends on Sunday, December 4th to a scrumptious meal at the Merry Merrehope Brunch featuring new and old holiday favorites including wine and champagne in the elegantly decorated 20 room mansion. You will be able to make this a very special occasion for the holiday season by making your reservation early. Advance tickets are required and reservations may be made for individual seats. For more information contact 601-483-8439 or go to www.merrehope.com.

Come hear the glory of the 26th annual Singing Christmas Tree presented by the Sanctuary Choir and Orchestra of Highland Baptist Church beginning Thursday, December 9th through Sunday, December 12th. The addition of professionally produce video, a high energy ensemble of youth sharing a new Christmas song, plus the angelic sound of children singing “Away in a Manger” will help make this year’s musical celebration of the birth of Jesus extraordinary. Tickets are free but limited. For more information contact Highland Baptist Church at 601-482-0191 or go to www.highlandbaptist.net.

Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol will be presented by Meridian Community College’s Fine Arts Department on Thursday, December 9th. “Scrooge? I have to redeem old Scrooge? The one man I knew who was worse than I was? Impossible!” So begins the real story behind Dickens’ A Christmas Carol – the story of Jacob Marley’s heroic behind-the-scenes efforts to save old Scrooge’s soul – and in the process, save his own.

Meridian Museum of Art Gala on Saturday, December 11th honors and recognizes museum supporters and volunteers who built the museum and have kept it alive for over forty years. The “Volunteer of the Year” award will be given to the Museum’s most valuable volunteer for 2010. This is the Museum’s annual spectacular that features wonderful art, food, drink and music.

Just the sound of Gary Morris’ voice can move the listener’s heart and soul. Gary Morris – From Back Roads to Broadway to Bethlehem concert will be performed at the MSU Riley Center on Sunday, December 12th . Best known for his original recording of “Wind Beneath My Wings,” Morris’ country music career took off in the 1980’s with twelve albums that generated sixteen Top 10 singles and five number 1 hits, including “Baby Bye Bye,” “100% Chance of Rain,” and “Leave Me Lonely.” He has since released acoustic, Christmas and gospel albums to fans’ delight.

The Meridian Athletic Association wraps up Merry Meridian 2010 on Saturday, December 18th with the Jingle Bell 5k run, 5k walk and 1 mile fun run for kids. This event will take place on December 18th. The starting line begins at BankPlus on 22nd Ave in downtown Meridian. Long sleeve t-shirts to all registrants and awards will be given out in each age group. For applications and more information visit www.meridianathletic.com.

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